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DNR Surveying Monocacy For Invasive Rusty Crayfish

Will Be Seeking Landowner Permission To Access Waterway

Emmittsburg, Md. (September 28, 2009) – Partnering with Hood College,
Mount St. Mary’s University, and the University of Maryland Appalachian
Laboratory, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the
third year of a survey of the Monocacy River for an aggressive, non-native, and
invasive species known as the rusty crayfish. DNR field crews will be conducting
surveys throughout the watershed during most of October and will be contacting
many private landowners for permission to access the river.

The rusty crayfish, first discovered in the Monocacy River in 2007, was likely
introduced by anglers as discarded, unused bait. It is currently established in
the northern portion of the Monocacy River. The goals of the 2009 survey are to
determine how far the rusty crayfish has spread within the watershed over the
past year and to examine the potential for controlling this invasive species.

The rusty crayfish is native to portions of the Ohio River drainage in Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. It grows quickly and can reach a length
of five inches. In its native range, it is commonly found in lakes, ponds, and
streams and can inhabit shallow riffles or deep pools. The rusty crayfish has
invaded 14 other states and portions of Canada where it has devastated local
aquatic ecosystems.

In order to prevent the spread of this and other invasive species, anglers are
urged to never release live unused bait or transport live fish or crayfish from
one body of water to another. Rusty crayfish cannot legally be imported,
transported, purchased, possessed live, propagated, sold or released into
Maryland waters. Anglers are reminded that the possession and use of all live
crayfishes are prohibited in the Upper Potomac, Middle Potomac, and Lower
Susquehanna River basins. All crayfish caught, possessed, or used as bait must
have heads removed immediately upon capture in these three areas.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which
is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible
for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and
visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles
of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum
environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land
conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources
attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's
effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental
priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov